Hoverman - a simpler plan available?

[Wills]

Hi
Really great forum.

I'm new to the OTA stuff; just bought a Samsung Tuner and hooked it up to an old TV and made a very basic antenna, receive 6 -8 channels in the GTA area (Toronto).

I need a new antenna to get more; looking at CM 4221, but also the Gray Hoverman DIY. I have read the post here: http://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/.

I looked at the picture of 2 people who build it on the last page and the diagrams - for the novice like me, are there any simple instructions on what is needed? i.e: you need 10 rods made of copper, cut these to XXXX length.
attach XXXXX using etc. etc. etc.

I can't build this from looking at a picture. The one build by Keo
looks like it using PVC tubing and corner connectors, but the wire and all that, need some help.

So does anyone know where there is a list of parts and directions?

I need to get PBS on channel 43 - I'm missing that one a lot!


Thanks

[stampeder]

Welcome here, Wills. I've merged your question into this thread discussing the design and building of the Gray Hoverman antenna.

You'll notice that there are almost 600 posts in here at this point, indicating that the design and process of building an SBGH or DBGH antenna is an ongoing and well-discussed topic, so you have some reading to do to see how others have done and you will get your answers.

[300ohm]

Hi Wills,

If youll look on page 4 of this thread, post 48, youll see that the SBGH outperforms the CM 4221 by quite a margin on channel 43.

WSYRTV9 has posted plans for a SBGH with parts and directions and a cut list here : http://community.9wsyr.com/blogs/plu...7/3046816.aspx
Its a very sturdy design, but as tvmonkey found out, the cost of the materials (assuming you have to buy everything) is fairly high with those plans.

Im in the process of building another outdoor SBGH, hoping to simplify and cut costs. If you can wait a few days, I should be able to post a cut sheet and materials list. The best way to cut costs is to use what you already have or what can be obtained cheaply locally.

Are you planning to mount the antenna inside or outside ?

[Wills]

Stampeder, thanks - I just got lost in all the technical talk. I was at about page 12 and it was getting more technical - but I will check more pages.


300ohm - thanks for the link, I will check it. I did see DogT's design somewhere in here, I will have to find it again, it looked like it was PVC and chicken wire, which I could do, but the wiring and other I don't know.

If you could post your material list that would be great!! I can certainly wait a few days for that - no rush, I built a simple wood and coathanger and it is getting around 6 - 8 channels, but only local.

This antenna is going outside - although I have an upstairs room with a window facing Buffalo that I might use - I am now trying to reduce the length of RG6 cable I use as I read here that every 18 feet = 3 db loss in reception. Where I want to put my antenna outside will run about 36 feet -upstairs runs probably 18 feet.

Thanks very much.

[300ohm]

as I read here that every 18 feet = 3 db loss in reception.

Heh, re-read that again. We would all be in trouble at 18 feet = 3 db loss. A 3 db loss = cutting the signal in half. Its 1 db every 18 feet at 700 mhz, (channel 52). Its less at lower frequencies/channels. The downloadable Channel Master ota antenna installation guide has the charts.

http://www.channelmasterintl.com/documentation.html

If using chicken wire, you want to make sure to arrange the chicken wire like DogT did, ie have the twisted wire sections running horizontally. North American TV is horizontally polarized.

[jdogmoney]

Im in the process of building another outdoor SBGH, hoping to simplify and cut costs.

Hey, let's see some pics when you're finished!

Any word on how the newest model is coming along?

[300ohm]

Heres a semi-finished picture of the second (actually the third) SBGH original model I've made. Its not yet painted and prettied up and I still have to cut out the 1 inch slot in the back.
This is one is screwed in on all the fittings (except for the cross-pieces, which are glued) so that I can change the dimensions of it and re-use the fittings.
I built it so I can receive my westerly Baltimore stations. Right now, the channels I want are from real channels 38 to 52 (and 59 Baltimore (and 36 Atlantic City which is east), which if I get I get, if I dont, no sweat) It should increase my total channel count to over 50. My main DBGH is pointed to Philadelphia, and Ill use an A-B switch to flip between them.



The plastic pipe on the edges bows in the middle after I tighted the nylon wire ties, but its still very sturdy and stiff, and I kind of like that slow curve in it. (Kind of reminds me of that curved SBGH Autofils was talking about) The 10 gauge fence grid remains straight and flat. By using 1/2 inch sch 40 pvc, its meant to be clamped to a mast.
And if you'll notice the bottom, its designed to have a second SBGH connected to it, making a DBGH.

[rochmndx]

I built my 30" x 75" screened DBGH a few weeks ago (I used a roll of solid copper #10 wire for the elements. I tested it out on the back porch. In the valley, most UHF signals are simply below the noise floor. I was severely unimpressed. I got 3 stations ok.

Yesterday afternoon, we loaded the antenna, preamp, inverter and TV up into the van, an took it to a spot about as high as where it will be mounted on our hill. I was blown away!!!

We set up the antenna in the parking lot. The view to the NW was ....a corn field (another 10ft, and you could of had a direct LOS). The other directions had a good LOS.

Here are the results. Mind you, the antenna was sitting on the ground. All results are based on optimal direction.

17 KTCI: Perfect
23 WUCU: Perfect
29 WFTC: Perfect
45 KSTC: Can we say ...perfect.
41 KXPM (110 mi): B+W
18 WQOW: Fuzzy color
19 WXOW:Perfect
25 WLAX:Perfect
31 WHLA: Perfect
28 WHWC: Perfect
48 WEUX: Perfect
56 + 58 (3ABN and TBN): Perfect
I didn't even check R/A/Mc stations. I also noted color signals on 8,9,10,11 and 13.
Here's the Analog radar:
I'd like to thank all the people who spent countless hours perfecting the design. It really works well. I can't wait to actually install it!!!

[300ohm]

I tested it out on the back porch. In the valley, most UHF signals are simply below the noise floor.

Valleys are tough.

18 WQOW: Fuzzy color

Thats still impressive at -120.7dbm and channel 41 is off the charts !
Last night and last Tuesday night, I was receiving 3 Allentown/Bethlehem stations that are about 110 miles away from me LOS.

The two antenna's were combined, and then split again for input to a HD network tuner.

Wow, I certainly couldnt get away with that out here in the fringes, heh.

[Xax]

I've looked at the SBGH plans and briefly browsed through this thread, but as someone who has no experience doing anything like this, I really have no idea how to do it. Is there a simpleton's guide by chance?

[300ohm]

I really have no idea how to do it. Is there a simpleton's guide by chance?

Well did you look at all the posts regarding my plans ? I have the drawings, parts list, cutting lists and construction notes in more than just that one post.


You tell me, what can I do to make it even simpler ?

A video with Jessica Simpson in a bikini making the antenna perhaps ?

[Xax]

300ohm, I hadn't seen your posts, no; thanks for bringing them to my attention.